He had found himself thinking of Mrs. Grace Everly often these past few days. Though she had been an uneducated and rather stubborn woman, she was always remarkably kind to him.


    As a child, when Emma and Andrew paid him no mind, he would run off to his grandparents'' house. His grandmother would personally cook his favorite dishes and hold him in her arms, singing softly to him.


    Back then, his grandfather was busy running the Everly Group and didn''t have as much time for him as his grandmother did. But whenever his grandfather was home, he always stayed by his side, sharing stories about the world beyond their home. Nearly all the warmth and affection he''d known growing up hade from his grandparents.


    With his wedding to Liliana approaching, he had felt increasingly weighed down and wanted to visit his grandmother. He hadn''t expected his grandfather to be there as well.


    Mr. Kevin Everly nodded. "When your parents neglected you, your grandmother and I were the ones who raised you. Especially your grandmother—she worried about you so much."


    He stood before Mrs. Grace Everly''s headstone, holding Amara''s hand in one of his and Finnian''s in the other. He gazed at the grave for a long, long time, his eyes rimmed with red, on the verge of tears.


    Amara didn''t have a close bond with Mrs. Grace Everly, but the solemn mood affected her, and she couldn''t help but feel a little sorrowful.


    They stood in silence for a while. Mr. Kevin Everly spoke a few words to histe wife, ced the flowers they had brought at the headstone, and then they left the cemetery.


    Afterward, Mr. Kevin Everly seemed to be in better spirits. He squeezed their hands gently and said, "Let''s get something to eat. What would you two like?"


    Finnian and Amara exchanged a quick nce before Amara looked away, lowering her head. "Anything is fine with me, Grandpa."


    She and Finnian had had a falling out a few days earlier. They had agreed not to see each other privately anymore, so under normal circumstances, having a meal together like this shouldn''t have happened.


    But Mr. Kevin Everly didn''t know about their dispute—he just wanted to have lunch with his grandchildren, so Amara didn''t object.


    Finnian wasn''t about to refuse either. “Anything works for me,” he replied.


    Mr. Kevin Everly thought for a moment. "This time, why don''t you two take me somewhere different?"


    Amara knew plenty of great restaurants and suggested one. After they got in the car, the driver took them there.


    At the restaurant, they requested a private dining room. The waiter led them in, and Mr. Kevin Everly browsed the menu, ordering some dishes while Amara and Finnian each picked a few of their favorites.


    Soon, the food started to arrive. As usual, it was mostly Mr. Kevin Everly who did the talking, with Amara and Finnian responding asionally.


    Finnian cut up a steak, intending to give it to Amara, but, remembering their recent argument, he hesitated. Instead he pushed the te in front of Mr. Kevin Everly. "Here, Grandpa. is for you."


    Th


    Mr. Kevin Everly gave him a knowing look.


    He''d seen Finnian''s first instinct-to give the steak to Amara. He was well aware of what Finnian was doing figuring Amera wouldn''t ept it, he''d redirected the gesture to his grandfather instead.


    Mr. Kevin Everly felt a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth but didn''t let it


    show. He took the steak and started eating.


    After a little while, Mr. Kevin Everly


    excused himself to use the


    restroom. Finnian offered to help but Mr. Kevin Everly waved him off


    "No need. Just walk me to the door-I can manage the rest myself."


    Though age had clearly slowed him down, Mr. Kevin Everly was stubbornly independent. He liked to handle things like eating and using the restroom on his own whenever possible, so Finnian didn''t insist.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!